News

Jul 02, 2023

Want to make your catalytic converter less of a target? APD and Jiffy Lube are offering a free option 

By Matthew Reisen / Journal Staff Writer

By Matthew Reisen / Journal Staff Writer Wednesday, May 10th, 2023 at 9:55PM

Catalytic converter thieves in Albuquerque may be seeing a different kind of green soon.

Residents can now deter theft by having their vehicle's VIN numbers etched onto the "cat" over heat-resistant green paint.

The free service is offered to the public by Jiffy Lube.

Albuquerque police spokeswoman Rebecca Atkins said the idea is to make the part — which contains valuable minerals like platinum — less attractive to steal. It can cost more than $1,500 to replace a stolen catalytic converter.

"The hope is that the more vehicles VIN etched, the more it will deter thieves from stealing the part and it will make it easier for law enforcement to track and help prosecute," Atkins said.

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She said anyone interested can walk into a Jiffy Lube location and request the etching, no appointment required. Atkins said Jiffy Lube technicians have already done 500 etchings since the program began in mid-April and have set an initial goal of 50,000 etchings by 2024.

Hundreds of catalytic converters have been stolen from underneath vehicles on Albuquerque's streets in recent years, leading to pushes locally and statewide to crack down on those stealing and buying them.

"We continue to target all crime from every angle possible, and catalytic converters are no exception," APD Chief Harold Medina said in a statement. "I applaud our partners at Jiffy Lube for joining forces with the police department to help combat this growing issue, as we cannot fix this alone."

In Albuquerque, catalytic converters are often stolen by those with a substance abuse problem. Some thieves are more prolific than others.

On April 15, Jordan Baca was spotted leaving a Toyota dealership with an armful of freshly cut catalytic converters, according to court records. When officers pulled over the 30-year-old, they found he had an electric saw and over a dozen catalytic converters under a blanket in the truck bed.

Baca, who has a history of drug use and property crime, is now facing several felonies.